Bearhawk pilot loses control on landing

The pilot was inbound to his unlit private grass strip in Walters, Oklahoma, at night. He sat in the right seat and maneuvered the Bearhawk to land on runway 17. He reported a slight crosswind from the left.

When the airplane touched down on the up-sloping runway, it bounced once and then settled onto the runway.

The passenger heard a “crunch” sound when the landing gear hit a bump in the runway. The airplane veered to the right and the pilot was unable to maintain the runway centerline.

The airplane continued to the right and hit a barbed wire fence about 115 feet from the runway.

The left main landing gear separated from the airplane and the right wing sustained substantial damage. The left brake line was found separated.

The pilot reported there was no forward visibility in this airplane during ground operations. He also stated that his failure to maintain control of the airplane contributed to the outcome.

Based on the evidence, it is likely that the pilot did not maintain directional control while landing on the unlit grass strip at night with no forward visibility.

Probable cause: The pilot did not maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll at night on an unlit grass strip.

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Comments

So the forward field of view is partially blocked during ground operations as is typical of a nose high tail wheeled airplane – so nothing new there. But then add to that darkness whence the entire forward field of view is blocked for lack of illumination and you have the perfect combo for flying blind. If this is such a thrill why not just put on a blind fold and practice landing like that.